Nearly 60 per cent of Canadian families now include pets, but roughly half of those pets do not have an ongoing relationship with a veterinarian. Lack of access to veterinary care in Canada is disproportionately experienced in Indigenous communities where the nearest veterinarian may be several hours away. The national shortage of veterinarians adds to the complexity of accessing pet care in historically excluded communities. To help address this issue, PetSmart Charities of Canada™, the leading funder of animal welfare in the country, has launched an innovative grant program to support the unique needs of communities by working alongside them.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada1 identified concerns in health inequities among Indigenous communities across Canada. Social determinants of health, or the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn and work affect their quality of life. When a lack of access to health services, food, housing, transportation, and education impacts Indigenous Peoples, it is likely the same will be true for access to veterinary care for the pets in that community.
PetSmart Charities of Canada’s program includes two grant phases. This year, grants have been awarded to 9 organizations to work in collaboration with Indigenous communities. The 9 organizations participating in the first phase of the grant program include:
- Brant County SPCA – Six Nations, ON
- Canadian Animal Assistance Team – Pelly’s Crossing, YT
- Georgian Triangle Humane Society – Saugeen First Nation, ON
- Paws for Hope Animal Foundation – Huu-Ay-Aht First Nations, BC
- Thompson Humane Society – Nisichawayasihk (NCN) and Nelson House, MB
- Toronto Animal Services – Toronto, ON
- Tsay Keh Dene First Nation – Tsay Keh, BC
- Veterinarians Without Borders – Igloolik and Gjoa Haven, NU
- Winnipeg Humane Society – South Indian Lake, MB